Arcade machines have long been the birthplace of competitive gaming, and player-created speedrun competitions are a natural extension of this culture. Unlike modern consoles with dedicated online features, classic arcades handle these competitions through a combination of hardware capabilities and community-driven organization.

The primary tool is the game's internal timer. Many arcade classics, from "Pac-Man" to "Donkey Kong," feature built-in timers that track level completion or overall playtime. Speedrunners use this precise, in-game clock as the official benchmark for their runs, ensuring consistency and fairness.

For validation, the community relies on direct observation and recorded evidence. In the past, this meant live witnesses in arcades. Today, players capture their runs using video recording equipment pointed at the cabinet's screen. This footage is then submitted to community-run platforms like Speedrun.com, where moderators verify the authenticity and time of the run according to strict rulesets.

Some modern re-releases and emulated arcade collections have incorporated official online leaderboards. These systems automatically record completion times and upload them to a global ranking, providing a built-in framework for competition. However, for pure, original hardware runs, the process remains a manual, community-enforced effort based on trust and verified evidence.

The culture of arcade speedrunning is built on this shared commitment to rules and verification, turning these classic machines into enduring platforms for high-level competition.